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Understanding Tahrir Square: What Transitions Elsewhere Can Teach Us about the Prospects for Arab Democracy
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Amid the current turmoil in the Middle East, Understanding Tahrir Square sounds a rare optimistic note. Surveying countries in other parts of the world during their transitions to democracy, author Stephen Grand argues that the long-term prospects in many parts of the Arab world are actually quite positive. If the current polarization and political violence in the region can be overcome, democracy will eventually take root. The key to this change will likely be ordinary citizens—foremost among them the young protestors of the Arab Spring who have filled the region's public spaces—most famously, Egypt's Tahrir Square. The book puts the Arab Spring in comparative perspective. It reveals how globalization and other changes are upending the expectations of citizens everywhere about the relationship between citizen and state. Separate chapters examine the experiences of countries in the former Eastern bloc, in the Muslim-majority states of Asia, in Latin America, and in Sub-Saharan Africa during the recent Third Wave of democratization. What these cases show is that, at the end of the day, democracy requires democrats. Many complex factors go into making a democracy successful, such as the caliber of its political leaders, the quality of its constitution, and the design of its political institutions. But unless there is clear public demand for new institutions to function as intended, political leaders are unlikely to abide by the limits those institutions impose. If American policymakers want to support the brave activists struggling to bring democracy to the Arab world, helping them cultivate an effective political constituency for democracy—in essence, growing the Tahrir Square base—should be the lodestar of U.S. assistance.
"
Amid the current turmoil in the Middle East, Understanding Tahrir Square sounds a rare optimistic note. Surveying countries in other parts of the world during their transitions to democracy, author Stephen Grand argues that the long-term prospects in many parts of the Arab world are actually quite positive. If the current polarization and political violence in the region can be overcome, democracy will eventually take root. The key to this change will likely be ordinary citizens—foremost among them the young protestors of the Arab Spring who have filled the region's public spaces—most famously, Egypt's Tahrir Square. The book puts the Arab Spring in comparative perspective. It reveals how globalization and other changes are upending the expectations of citizens everywhere about the relationship between citizen and state. Separate chapters examine the experiences of countries in the former Eastern bloc, in the Muslim-majority states of Asia, in Latin America, and in Sub-Saharan Africa during the recent Third Wave of democratization. What these cases show is that, at the end of the day, democracy requires democrats. Many complex factors go into making a democracy successful, such as the caliber of its political leaders, the quality of its constitution, and the design of its political institutions. But unless there is clear public demand for new institutions to function as intended, political leaders are unlikely to abide by the limits those institutions impose. If American policymakers want to support the brave activists struggling to bring democracy to the Arab world, helping them cultivate an effective political constituency for democracy—in essence, growing the Tahrir Square base—should be the lodestar of U.S. assistance.
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273 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2013
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 29, 2014
A definite must for anyone interested in the history of global democratic transitions, for those hoping to pursue peace and conflict resolution studies or comparative governance studies, for someone who just wants to know a tad bit more about the prospects of democracy in Egypt. Grand's book is a fantastic gateway for further research. It's organized well, by region and country, and it's fairly chronologically pleasing (as many history purviews are not… Tindall and Shi…)
However, I would not suggest reading this book as I did, in fragments of little time, in airports and a hot car that stinks of cow manure in the middle of nowhere Texas. It worked out fine, of course, since I took notes while reading, but I do think I would've had an overall better experience with the book if I had had the opportunity to read it in long drawls on a leather chair.
Although most of this piece is collection of brief accounts of democratic success and failures in various parts of the world, Grand does give a poignant (yet rather verbose) call-to-action and policy recommendations in his final chapters.
The big take-away: If your independent media is cut off, if your elections are being rigged, you're probably in deep shit. Run.
Anyhow, GO BROOKINGS INSTITUTE!
However, I would not suggest reading this book as I did, in fragments of little time, in airports and a hot car that stinks of cow manure in the middle of nowhere Texas. It worked out fine, of course, since I took notes while reading, but I do think I would've had an overall better experience with the book if I had had the opportunity to read it in long drawls on a leather chair.
Although most of this piece is collection of brief accounts of democratic success and failures in various parts of the world, Grand does give a poignant (yet rather verbose) call-to-action and policy recommendations in his final chapters.
The big take-away: If your independent media is cut off, if your elections are being rigged, you're probably in deep shit. Run.
Anyhow, GO BROOKINGS INSTITUTE!
Displaying 1 of 1 review